FOR THE TOWNSMAN
Four local boxers took part in the ‘Anniversary Show’ hosted by the Cloverdale Legion on Sunday, October 1. When the dust settled three had their hands raised in victory.
In the first Cranbrook Eagles fight, 11-year-old Dylan Muhlig stepped up to take on a bigger, older and more experienced fighter from Astoria Boxing in Vancouver. Muhlig’s superior footwork and counter punching, however, frustrated his opponent throughout the match and in the end they both were declared winners.
His older brother Payton Muhlig, who is 13 years old, also stepped up against an older opponent in Jesse Seabrooke from Sooke, B.C.
After two very close rounds, Payton poured on the pressure on his opponent in the third round using slick combinations and walked away victorious with a unanimous decision.
Former Maple Ridge boxer and former Provincial Champion Connor Rankin, who is 23 years old and now boxing out of the Cranbrook Eagles club, then took on current Provincial Champion Ely Martinez from Maple Ridge.
Rankin put the game plan together early in the match against his southpaw opponent, staggering him with an overhand right, but Martinez survived the round after an eight count.
Round two was closer but Rankin was still in control, going hard to Martinez’s body. In the third, he came out strong again trying to put Martinez away with left and right combinations.
Martinez took another eight count but survived and in decision time, Rankin was declared the unanimous winner.
Last up for the Eagles boxers was 17-year-old heavyweight Nike Blackmore, who fought against Trystan Burke from Powell River, B.C.
This was a rematch of their ’bout last March at the B.C. Golden Gloves, a match that Blackmore won.
Burke had planned his revenge this time around and both boxers exchanged punches early and often throughout the match. Burke’s hand was raised after three hard-fought rounds, however, setting up yet another possible rematch in the future.
All Eagles boxers will next see action on October 28 in Cranbrook at the fourth Annual Charity Challenge. Those interested in purchasing tickets are asked to call Tom at 250-417-9019 or Bill at 250-919-7181.
